Ministry - Hopiumforthemasses Review

First of all, this tittle really kicks it. The tittle “Hopiumforthemasses” written all together was really well-thought because the unadvised fan won’t get it at first. And, then, when he gets it may mean another thing else than the real meaning.

Second of all, the album cover art is also really something that kicks it strong. I really like when bands desecrate well-known art or symbols. The psychedelic representation of a very famous Rodin – is it? – statue with mushrooms and mary joanna is something to laugh about, not to be offended. Of course, that’s only my opinion.

On the other hand, I have mixed amotions about Ministry’s music. I do remember when the band rose from the dead in the 1990’s making a huge fuss with their unique and, back then, original music. The sick and insane atnosphere the band created with “Jesus Built My Hotroad” was something to praise. The relentless repetition of the guitars riffs were ridiculously addictive. The same for the crazed vocals. The song had a mandatory presence in the radio. The thing is that I don’t see it in “Hopiumforthemasses,” an album that uses much more an iconography debouche than a musical one. I’d rather have more of the later in the music. Unfortunately for us, the album has more of a standard sonancy than expected. Of course, there are good moments as the surf music inspired “Just Stop Oil” with guitars that address to the good old times. From then on, the rage and mayhem expected are dilluted with all the white noise and electronic effects. “TV Songs” gave me hope, but the shy guitars and the electronic mood of “Cult of Suffering” made me think back. It’s was grand finale “Ricky’s Hand’s” DEVO’s atmosphere that made me turn it off. We don’t need another DEVO. However, it’s good to know the band’s raw and sharp sense of humor is intact as my dear child of the night might check with “Aryan Embarassment,” one of the good songs of the album.

“Hopiumforthemasses” isn’t a bad album. The problem with it is the expectation. I expected other kind of album from Ministry. Just that. Am I having some sort of nostalgic moment? Maybe. Am I getting deaf? No, not yet.

Ministry “Hopiumforthemasses” was released on March 01st via Nuclear Blast Records.

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